What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Car accidents come out of nowhere. Even minor collisions can knock the wind out of you and leave you in shock. This leads to numerous questions. What should you do or say after a car accident? Are you supposed to stay in the vehicle? Should you call the police after a crash? What information do you need to get from the other driver?

Luckily, the answers to these questions are straightforward. There are certain steps you can adhere to after almost any type of crash. Once you are through the immediate collision and its aftermath, then you can contact an experienced Wisconsin personal injury lawyer from Studinski Law, LLC to learn more about your rights and options for compensation. Call us as soon as possible at (715) 343-2850.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Whether it is a relatively minor collision or a significant crash, there are certain steps you should take after a car accident:

• Get to safety
  After the collision occurs, you may not be able to move your vehicle. In this situation, turn off the car and safely get out if you’re able. If you can get out of the car, be extremely careful to avoid traffic and get to the side of the road. Stand behind a guardrail whenever possible. If you can still move the vehicle, drive it to the shoulder or side of the road to be out of the way of traffic. Do what is safest for you and your passengers.
• Do not drive away
  You may be scared about what happens next. However, do not drive away. Stop and get to safety as soon as possible. If you leave, even if you come back in a few minutes, you could be charged with a crime.
• Review your and your passengers’ health
  Give yourself a quick check over and ask how all of your passengers are doing. How do you feel? Are you bleeding or in pain?? If you or anyone else appears to be hurt, call 911.
• Check on the other driver
  While always maintaining your safety, determine how the other driver and their passengers are doing. If they appear to be hurt or are unconscious, call 911. Unless their remaining in the vehicle is clearly dangerous, such as if the car is on fire, do not try to move them even if they are injured.
• Exchange information
  If you and the other driver are healthy enough to do so, exchange information, including names, contact information, insurance company and policy number, license plate number, and vehicle description. It is often best to ask to see the other person’s driver’s license and insurance card to ensure you receive accurate information. Take a picture with your phone, if possible. During this time, do not blame the other driver and do not accept fault. Keep the conversation focused on exchanging information.
• Take photos and video
  If your or a passengers’ phones are in working order, take plenty of pictures and video of the accident. Take photos of all of the vehicles from numerous angles, damaged property, and any evidence of the crash in the road like skid marks.
• Ask for witnesses’ information
  If there are any witnesses to the crash in the other person’s vehicle or that stop, ask for their names and contact information. You may be able to get this from the police report, but it is not guaranteed the officers will obtain all of the witnesses’ information.
• Cooperate with the police
  When the emergency responders and police show up to the accident, cooperate with them. Remain calm and polite. Answer the police officer’s questions.
• Obtain medical treatment
  If you are seriously injured, all the previous steps can wait. You should get medical treatment as soon as possible and worry about obtaining information and photos afterwards. If a passenger is healthy, you can ask them to do these things for you. A car accident can lead to serious injuries, some of them invisible to the untrained eye. You should head to the emergency room, urgent care, or your physician’s office to be evaluated. Also, if you start to experience more pain or symptoms in the days following the crash, do not hesitate to seek medical attention.
• Write down what you remember
  As soon as you are able, take a moment to write down everything you remember leading up to the crash. It can be helpful to document your recollections of the wreck and its aftermath.

Contact Our Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyers

After you experience a car accident that leaves you with injuries, contact our car accident attorneys at Studinski Law, LLC at (715) 343-2850. We can review your situation and advise you on the next best steps. This usually includes filing an insurance claim and thoroughly investigating the accident. If necessary, we will represent you during a personal injury suit and will aggressively pursue the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.